DOWNEY – Downey residents are "overwhelmingly happy" with the job being done by City Hall and are in favor of raising the local sales tax, according to the results of a poll conducted by a firm on behalf of the city.

On a 4-1 vote (Mayor Alex Saab dissenting), the City Council hired the consulting firm – Fairbank, Maslin, Maulin, Mertz & Associates – in January to poll residents on whether they would support raising the sales tax by half a perfect. The money would be used to hire police officers and firefighters, fix pot holes, and upgrade parks, city officials say.

In a staff report, City Manager Gilbert Livas says poll results showed "that Downey voters are overwhelmingly supportive of the job being done by Council and staff, particularly by Downey Police and Downey Fire Departments."

"The residents believe the City is headed in the right direction and are interested in providing additional resources to ensure that Downey remains a safe, desirable community," Livas wrote.

Specific poll results were not posted online. The consulting firm is expected to go into details of the poll at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Any increase to the local sales tax requires majority approval by Downey voters. If approved by the City Council, the measure would appear on November's ballot.